Inbound Exchange Programs

Asia

• Akita International University
• Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Ewha Womans University
• Fudan University
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Korea University
• Kyoto University
• Nanyang Technological University
• National Chengchi University
• National University of Singapore
• Seoul National University
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Macau
• Waseda University
• Yonsei University

Europe

• Bocconi University
• Boğaziçi University
• Cardiff University
• Charles University
• Copenhagen Business School
• European Business School
• ESSEC Business School
• King's College London
• Koç University
• Luiss University
• Queen Mary, University of London
• Queen's University Belfast
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• Sciences Po
• Sciences Po Grenoble
• Universidad Autόnoma de Madrid
• University College Dublin
• University College London
• University College Maastricht
• University of Birmingham
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Exeter
• University of Iceland
• University of Leeds
• University of Navarra
• University of Sussex
• University of Zurich
• Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Latin America

• Colegio de México
• Pontificia Universidad Catόlica de Chile
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC Rio)
• Universidad de Chile
• Universidad Torcuato di Tella

Middle East & North Africa

• Al Akhawayn University
• American University in Cairo
• American University of Kuwait
• American University of Sharjah
• Reichman University (IDC Herzliya)

Oceania

• Australian National University
• Deakin University
• University of Auckland
• University of Melbourne
• University of New South Wales
• University of Sydney
• University of Technology, Sydney

At GW, faculty and students not only study the world but also work to change it. GW provides a rare combination of academic resources in an engaging university setting in the heart of Washington, D.C. Offering a wide selection of learning experiences -- from lectures and seminars to hands-on labs-- partnerships with organizations and museums, a world-class library, and state-of-the-art technology, GW's goal is to prepare students to become citizens of a global society ready to face the challenges of this still new century.

GW's Academic System

GW operates on a semester basis, with 15 weeks in each semester. The semesters are referred to as fall (late August through late December) and spring (early January through mid-May).

Students attending GW for a degree enter a degree program that focuses on a particular major or area of study. Exchange students are admitted to GW as non-degree students and can register for courses in any of the undergraduate majors.

An individual course or class can be administered in one of two ways: large lecture or small seminar.

The lecture class is frequently used at the undergraduate level, particularly for the first two years of study. Lectures are sometimes large and make discussions difficult. For this reason, a lecture will often be supplemented with a recitation or discussion session to permit discussion and/or scientific experimentation.

A seminar is the most common form of instruction at the graduate level; however seminars are also used in upper level undergraduate courses as well. These classes are generally smaller, permitting opportunities for direct student participation and closer interactions with professors.

Credits

GW uses a credit system that can be used to determine contact hours . Typically, one credit hour is equivalent to one contact hour. Undergraduate courses range from 1 to 6 credit hours, however, a typical undergraduate course is usually 3 or 4 credits.

Exchange students are required to maintain a full-time course load which equates to 12 credits. Most students will elect to take 15 credits which typically equates to 5 courses. The maximum number of credits to enroll in is 17 credits.  Exchange students can enroll in a maximum of 17 credit hours as part of the tuition waiver.

Courses Available

Exchange students may enroll in any of GW’s six undergraduate schools and take undergraduate courses in any subject area. A sample of the various disciplines includes:

• American Studies
• Business Administration
• Communications
• Engineering
• History
• International Affairs
• Marketing
• Media and Public Affairs
• Political Science

Restricted Courses

Exchange students may not enroll in these courses: graduate level courses (labeled 4999 and above), courses in the fields of interior design & architecture, law, nursing, medicine, or courses in the Semester in Washington Program (denoted as PGMT).

Choosing Courses

Students are encouraged to consult the GW Bulletin and Schedule of Classes when preparing for their course registration. 

Undergraduate exchange students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Students must be an undergraduate student enrolled in a GW partner institution and nominated by their home institution.
• Students must have the equivalent of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 Scale
• Students must supply proof of English proficiency*. English proficiency test scores must be dated from within the past 12 months of when the document is submitted to the Office for Study Abroad. Minimum scores for TOEFL and Academic IELTS scores are listed below. For a full list of  accepted English proficiency tests please see GW's undergraduate admissions website. 
• Students must provide proof of financial support covering GW’s program costs. 

*Students from these schools are exempt from submitting the TOEFL or IELTS score reports:

• American University in Cairo
• American University of Sharjah
• Australian National University
• Cardiff University
• Copenhagen Business School
• Deakin University
• King's College London
• Nanyang Technological University
• National University of Singapore
• Queen Mary, University of London
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• University College Dublin
• University College Maastricht
• University of Auckland
• University of Birmingham
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Exeter
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Leeds
• University of Melbourne
• University of New South Wales
• University of Sydney
• University of Sussex

English for Academic Purposes

Students who meet the university’s minimum requirements but do not meet or exceed the standard scores will be required to enroll in the English for Academic Purposes course. The English for Academic Purposes course is worth 3 credit hours and counts towards the overall credit requirement for students during their first semester. Students are notified in their admission letter if they are expected to complete this requirement.

In addition to fulfilling the academic requirements, exchange students are expected to show proof of financial support at the time of application. Information on the costs of attending GW for a semester is indicated in the Costs section.

GW's Cost of Attendance is published annually by the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

1. Be nominated by your school for exchange.
2. When your nomination has been processed, the Exchange Team will email you with application instructions
3. Complete the online exchange application and submit to the Exchange Team through ISO Gateway. 
4. Once accepted, the Exchange Team will send immigration documents to your school.
5. Apply for the J-1 visa.
6. Arrive in the US for orientation week with the Exchange Team.

For questions regarding the undergraduate exchange program, please contact [email protected].